二氢青蒿素通过诱导铁死亡抑制肝癌细胞生长

二氢青蒿素（dihydroartemisinin,DHA）是青蒿素的一种衍生物,在多种肿瘤中表现出明显的抗肿瘤活性,但其具体机制不详。本文探讨了DHA对肝癌细胞的毒性作用机制。利用CCK-8试剂检测DHA对肝癌细胞株活力的影响,通过荧光探针染色及流式细胞术分析细胞内ROS及脂质过氧化物水平的变化;通过谷胱甘肽测定试剂盒检测细胞内还原型谷胱甘肽含量的变化,并通过免疫印迹分析DHA作用下细胞内铁死亡通路蛋白质中GPX4的变化。结果发现,DHA能显著抑制SMMC-7721及Huh-7细胞活力,其半数抑制浓度分别为23.74 μmol/L及26.92 μmol/L。 在35 μmol/L DHA 处理下,SMMC-7721及Huh-7细胞内ROS分别升高2.6倍和2.1倍,脂质过氧化物升高2.3倍和1.7倍。DHA可诱导细胞内GSH含量下降,并能下调铁死亡相关蛋白质GPX4蛋白水平。通过利用小分子抑制剂进行功能恢复实验发现,ROS抑制剂、铁螯合剂及铁死亡抑制剂都可不同程度恢复DHA引起的细胞活力下降。进一步检测发现,铁死亡抑制剂可抑制DHA诱导的脂质过氧化,并恢复GSH含量及GPX4蛋白水平。结果表明,在肝癌细胞中,DHA可通过诱导细胞发生铁死亡抑制肝癌细胞生长。     

二氢青蒿素通过诱导铁死亡抑制肝癌细胞生长

二氢青蒿素（dihydroartemisinin,DHA）是青蒿素的一种衍生物,在多种肿瘤中表现出明显的抗肿瘤活性,但其具体机制不详。本文探讨了DHA对肝癌细胞的毒性作用机制。利用CCK-8试剂检测DHA对肝癌细胞株活力的影响,通过荧光探针染色及流式细胞术分析细胞内ROS及脂质过氧化物水平的变化;通过谷胱甘肽测定试剂盒检测细胞内还原型谷胱甘肽含量的变化,并通过免疫印迹分析DHA作用下细胞内铁死亡通路蛋白质中GPX4的变化。结果发现,DHA能显著抑制SMMC-7721及Huh-7细胞活力,其半数抑制浓度分别为23.74 μmol/L及26.92 μmol/L。 在35 μmol/L DHA 处理下,SMMC-7721及Huh-7细胞内ROS分别升高2.6倍和2.1倍,脂质过氧化物升高2.3倍和1.7倍。DHA可诱导细胞内GSH含量下降,并能下调铁死亡相关蛋白质GPX4蛋白水平。通过利用小分子抑制剂进行功能恢复实验发现,ROS抑制剂、铁螯合剂及铁死亡抑制剂都可不同程度恢复DHA引起的细胞活力下降。进一步检测发现,铁死亡抑制剂可抑制DHA诱导的脂质过氧化,并恢复GSH含量及GPX4蛋白水平。结果表明,在肝癌细胞中,DHA可通过诱导细胞发生铁死亡抑制肝癌细胞生长。     

Hepatitis Viruses and Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Two hepatotropic viruses, hepatitis B and C viruses, are known to cause hepatocellular carcinoma in humans. Hepatocarcinogenesis is a complex, stepwise process that evolves over several to many years and precisely how hepatitis viruses contribute to malignant transformation of hepatocytes is uncertain. Hepatitis B vrus is integrated into cellular DNA in the great majority of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinomas, whereas replicative intermediates of hepatitis C virus do not insert into chromosomal DNA, making it likely that different pathogenetic mechanisms operate with the two viruses. Indeed, evidence is mounting that both direct and indirect carcinogenic mechanisms, and often the two together, are involved in virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, evidence is now available that hepatitis B and C viruses interact synergistically in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Animal models, — other members of the Hepadnaviridae family that cause tumors in their respecitve animal hosts, and transgenic mice into which the sequences of hepatitis B virus DNA have been inserted — are proving useful in elucidating putative mechanisms of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocarcinogenesis. Whatever the genesis of hepatitis virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma, it is clear that hepatitis viruses do not act alone but in conjunction with other environmental carcinogens and a number of host factors.     

Salinomycin Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

The anti-tumor antibiotic salinomycin (Sal) was recently identified as a selective inhibitor of breast cancer stem cells; however, the effect of Sal on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not clear. This study aimed to determine the anti-tumor efficacy and mechanism of Sal on HCC. HCC cell lines (HepG2, SMMC-7721, and BEL-7402) were treated with Sal. Cell doubling time was determinated by drawing growth curve, cell viability was evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit 8. The fraction of CD133⁺ cell subpopulations was assessed by flow cytometry. We found that Sal inhibits proliferation and decreases PCNA levels as well as the proportion of HCC CD133⁺cell subpopulations in HCC cells. Cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometry and showed that Sal caused cell cycle arrest of the various HCC cell lines in different phases. Cell apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining. Sal induced apoptosis as characterized by an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Several signaling pathways were selected for further mechanistic analyses using real time-PCR and Western blot assays. Compared to control, β-catenin expression is significantly down-regulated upon Sal addition. The Ca²⁺ concentration in HCC cells was examined by flow cytometry and higher Ca²⁺ concentrations were observed in Sal treatment groups. The anti-tumor effect of Sal was further verified in vivo using the hepatoma orthotopic tumor model and the data obtained showed that the size of liver tumors in Sal-treated groups decreased compared to controls. Immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining also demonstrated that Sal inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in vivo. Finally, the role of Sal on in vivo Wnt/β-catenin signaling was evaluated by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. This study demonstrates Sal inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo and one potential mechanism is inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling via increased intracellular Ca²⁺ levels.     

阿帕替尼对人肝癌细胞增殖及凋亡的作用机制研究

目的:探讨阿帕替尼抑制肝癌细胞增殖促进凋亡的作用机制。方法:选取肝癌细胞系SNU739、HepG2,以CCK-8细胞增殖实验、平板克隆实验测定阿帕替尼对肝癌细胞增殖及克隆形成能力的影响;流式细胞术检测阿帕替尼对肝癌细胞凋亡的影响;蛋白免疫印迹法检测阿帕替尼影响肝癌细胞凋亡相关蛋白Bax、Bcl-2及Caspase3的表达情况。结果:与对照组相比,阿帕替尼可显著抑制肝癌细胞增殖(P0.05)。平板克隆实验提示与对照组相比,10μM和20μM阿帕替尼组肝癌细胞克隆数明显减少(P0.05)。流式细胞术结果提示10μM和20μM阿帕替尼处理组细胞凋亡率明显增加(P0.05)。蛋白免疫印迹法结果显示经阿帕替尼处理的肝癌细胞,促凋亡蛋白Bax及Caspase3的活性片段Cleaved-caspase3表达水平显著上调,抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2显著下调(P0.01)。结论:阿帕替尼通过调节肝癌细胞凋亡相关蛋白从而抑制肝癌细胞增殖、促进其凋亡。     

Comparative Immunologic and Kinetic Evaluation of AMP‐Deaminase Isolated from Normal Human Liver and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

In the present paper physico‐chemical properties of AMP‐deaminase purified from human liver neoplasm–hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were investigated and compared with these obtained for the enzyme from normal, unaffected tissue.     

S100A9促进肝癌细胞HepG2的存活与侵袭依赖于RAGE

目的:探讨S100A9对人肝癌细胞系HepG2生物学行为的影响及可能机制。方法:采用免疫组织化学法与Western blot方法检测人肝癌组织与癌旁组织中S100A9蛋白表达水平;原核表达重组蛋白的方法构建重组蛋白GST-S100A9,用GST-S100A9处理肝癌细胞HepG2和肝正常细胞L02,然后用MTT法检测细胞存活能力,Transwell侵袭实验检测细胞侵袭力;Western blot方法检测肝癌细胞HepG2与肝正常细胞L02中晚期糖基化终末产物受体(RAGE)的表达水平。结果:S100A9在人肝癌组织中的表达较癌旁组织显著增高;GST-S100A9可以促进肝癌细胞HepG2的存活与侵袭,但对肝正常细胞L02无作用;RAGE的表达在HepG2细胞中较在L02细胞中显著升高;RAGE阻断抗体可阻断GST-S100A9对HepG2细胞的促存活与促侵袭作用,表明这些作用是通过RAGE介导的。结论:S100A9促进肝癌细胞HepG2的存活与侵袭依赖于RAGE。     

miR-155对肝癌细胞增殖的影响

目的:在肝癌细胞系中过表达miR-155,研究其对肝癌细胞增殖的影响。方法:将pc DNA3.0-miR-155表达载体瞬时转染Huh7.5.1及Hcclm3肝癌细胞系,通过实时定量PCR技术对miR-155在转录水平的表达进行检测,采用CCK8法及克隆形成实验检测miR-155过表达后对Huh7.5.1及Hcclm3肝癌细胞系增殖的影响。结果:转染细胞后72 h,经实时定量PCR检测,Huh7.5.1及Hcclm3肝癌细胞中成熟miR-155的表达分别上调约431及16倍(P0.01),说明其能有效高表达;CCK8法及克隆形成实验结果显示,miR-155能够明显促进肝癌细胞增殖(P0.01)。结论:pc DNA3.0-miR-155转染Huh7.5.1及Hcclm3肝癌细胞系后能高效表达成熟miR-155,同时证明过表达miR-155能使肝癌细胞的增殖受到非常明显的促进。     

超表达蛋白激酶B对SMMC 7721肝癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

采用脂质体转染的方法 ,将含持续激活蛋白激酶B的真核表达质粒转染到SMMC 772 1肝癌细胞中 ,研究蛋白激酶B对人肝癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响 .用RNA印迹及蛋白激酶B测活鉴定 ,并获得稳定表达持续激活蛋白激酶B的细胞株 ,用MTT法、软琼脂克隆形成率及细胞周期测定等方法检测超表达蛋白激酶B的 772 1细胞增殖情况 ,结果显示超表达蛋白激酶B的 772 1细胞生长能力增强 ,软琼脂克隆形成率增高 ,S期细胞增多 ,p2 7Kip1表达下降 .用流式细胞术检测悬浮培养诱导的细胞失巢凋亡 ,发现超表达蛋白激酶B能抑制细胞失巢凋亡 .上述结果提示蛋白激酶B能促进肝癌细胞增殖 ,抑制细胞凋亡 .     

长链非编码RNA H19促进肝癌细胞增殖和侵袭

目的:肝癌是严重危害人类健康的一类恶性肿瘤,但其发病机制目前仍不明确.虽然长链非编码RNA的异常表达与多种肿瘤的发生密切相关,但在肝癌中的报导尚不多见.因此,本文将探讨长链非编码RNA H19在肝癌组织和正常组织中表达差异,进一步检测其对肝癌细胞增殖和侵袭活性的调控及其分子机制,为开发长链非编码RNA的临床诊断试剂提供实验依据.方法:收集20例肝癌手术患者的癌变组织和20例正常组织,通过real time PCR检测H19的表达差异.在转染或干扰掉该H19后,采用MTT的方法检测HepG2细胞的增殖活性,通过Transwell小室的方法检测HepG2细胞的侵袭活性.结果:real time PCR检测发现H19 mRNA在肝癌组织中高表达,而在正常组织中低表达.过表达H19导致HepG2细胞过度增殖,敲除该lncRNA,细胞增殖和侵袭活性被抑制.结论:H19在肝癌组织中的表达明显高于正常肝组织,并且过表达H19导致肝癌细胞增殖活性增加,而敲除H19会导致肝癌细胞的增殖和侵袭活性明显减弱.该LncRNA在肝癌组织中的过量表达有助于肝癌的临床诊断,同时H19在肝癌的恶性肿瘤生物活性中发挥着重要的作用,因此,H19是一个潜在的治疗肝癌的药物作用靶点,为开发新的抗肿瘤药物提供了新的治疗靶点.     

Sirt1促进肝癌细胞增殖和侵袭活性的分子机制

目的:探讨Sirt1基因在肝癌组织和癌旁组织中表达差异,进一步检测其对肝癌细胞增殖和侵袭活性的调控.方法:收集30例肝癌手术患者的病变组织和癌旁组织,通过Real time-PCR检测Sirt1基因的表达差异,并对其中6例组织通过western blot验证.在转染Sirt1基因或干扰掉该基因后,采用MTT的方法检测HepG2细胞的增殖活性,通过Transwell小室的方法检测HepG2细胞的侵袭活性.结果:Real time-PCR检测发现Sirt1 mRNA在肝癌组织中高表达,同样,Western blot检测也发现Sirt1在肝癌组织中高表达,而在癌旁组织中表达较低.过表达Sirt1导致HepG2细胞过度增殖,侵袭能力增加;相反,敲除该基因,细胞增殖和侵袭活性被抑制.结论:Sirt1在肝癌组织中高表达并且介导肝癌细胞增殖和侵袭活性.该基因在肝癌组织中的过量表达有助于肝癌的临床诊断,同时Sirt1在肝癌的恶性肿瘤生物活性中发挥着重要的作用,因此,Sirt1是一个潜在的治疗肝癌的药物作用靶点,为开发新的抗肿瘤药物提供了新的治疗靶点.     

Characterization of Distal and Proximal Alternative Promoters of the Human ApoA-I Gene

Molecular Biology - Human apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) is a major structural and functional protein component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). ApoA-I constitutes ~75% of the protein content of...     

Investigation of Functional and Morphological Integrity of Freshly Isolated and Cryopreserved Human Hepatocytes

There is a pressing need for alternative therapeutic methods effective in the treatment of patients with liver insufficiency. Isolated human hepatocytes may be a viable alternative or adjunct to orthotopic liver transplantation in such patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viability and functional integrity of freshly isolated and cryopreserved human hepatocytes, in preparation for a multi-center human hepatocyte transplantation trial. We are currently processing transplant-grade human parenchymal liver cells from nondiseased human livers that are obtained through a network of organ procurement organizations (OPOs). Thus far, sixteen hepatocyte transplants have been performed using hepatocytes processed by our methods. At the time of referral all specimens were deemed unsuitable for transplantation due to anatomical anomalies, high fat content, medical history, etc. Hepatocytes were isolated from encapsulated liver sections by a modified two-step perfusion technique. Isolated cells were cryopreserved and stored in liquid nitrogen for one to twelve months. The total yield of freshly isolated hepatocytes averaged 3.7×10⁷ cells per gram of wet tissue. Based on trypan blue exclusion, fresh preparations contained an average of 85% viable hepatocytes vs. 70% in cryopreserved samples. The plating efficiencies of cells seeded immediately after isolation ranged from 87% to 98%, while those of cryopreserved/thawed cells were markedly lower. Flow cytometry analysis of cells labeled with 5,6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) showed that there was no significant difference in viability compared with trypan blue staining. Both freshly isolated hepatocytes and those recovered from cryopreservation showed typical and intact morphology as demonstrated by light and electron microscopy. The product of the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reaction was always expressed more intensely in cultures of freshly isolated hepatocytes. Measurements of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage were inversely correlated with trypan blue exclusion and CFSE labeling. Energy status, evaluated by the intracellular ATP concentration measurements, and various liver-specific functions such as urea synthesis and metabolism of 7-ethoxycoumarin were maintained both in fresh and cryopreserved/thawed hepatocytes. However, the activities were expressed at different levels in thawed cells. These data illustrate the importance and feasibility of human hepatocyte banking. In addition, it is clear that further refinements in the methods of hepatocyte isolation and cryopreservation are needed to utilize more fully these valuable cells in the clinic.     

B4GALT3促进肝癌细胞增殖和侵袭

β-1,4-半乳糖基转移酶III（β-1,4-galactosyltransferase III,B4GALT3）在肿瘤的作用正受到关注,但其在肝癌中的表达模式及其作用有待阐明。基于TCGA肿瘤组织数据库和GTEx正常组织数据库进行的生物信息学分析,发现相比于人正常肝组织,B4GALT3在人肝癌组织中的表达显著上调。实时荧光定量PCR结果发现肝癌细胞中B4GALT3的mRNA和Western 印迹检测蛋白质表达水平显著上调。其中肝癌细胞SMMC7721中B4GALT3的mRNA表达水平是正常肝细胞L-02的9.85倍。对TCGA数据库进行分析发现,B4GALT3表达水平与肝癌患者的生存率呈负相关。在内源性高表达B4GALT3的SMMC7721肝癌细胞中,干扰B4GALT3表达,可显著抑制该细胞的增殖能力和侵袭能力。干扰B4GALT3表达能显著上调SMMC7721细胞中p27和E-cadherin的蛋白质表达水平,干扰B4GALT3表达后SMMC7721细胞中,p27和E-cadherin的mRNA水平较对照组上调6.15倍和7.83倍。总之,B4GALT3在肝癌中表达上调,且促进肝癌细胞的增殖和侵袭。     

人肝癌细胞系的糖蛋白质组学研究

糖基化是最重要的蛋白质翻译后形式之一,糖基化蛋白的糖链部分影响着蛋白质的折叠和稳定性以及其生物学功能.许多恶性肿瘤组织与正常组织相比已显示出蛋白质糖基化的差异.采用蛋白质组学分析方法结合先进的糖蛋白荧光染色技术,研究了正常人肝细胞系(ChangLiver)和人肝癌细胞系(Hep3B)糖蛋白糖基化的差异.首先用细胞裂解法提取细胞总蛋白质,进行双向电泳(2-DE),然后用pro-QEmerald488糖蛋白荧光染料进行糖蛋白染色,得到两种细胞系糖基化蛋白表达谱,经2-DE分析软件Dymension分析2-DE图像,比较糖蛋白的糖基化程度,并对糖基化蛋白进行质谱鉴定.结果显示正常人肝细胞表达(74±2)个(n=3),而人肝癌细胞系表达(78±3)个糖蛋白(n=3).两者匹配的糖蛋白质点31个,Hep3B表达而ChangLiver不表达的糖蛋白质点47个,ChangLiver表达而Hep3B不表达的糖蛋白质点43个.两种细胞系糖基化程度存在明显差异,与正常人肝细胞相比,肝癌细胞发生糖基化改变的糖蛋白有25个,其中糖基化水平上调的有10个,下调的有15个,质谱鉴定出12个发生糖基化改变的糖蛋白.这些结果显示蛋白质糖基化改变可能在肝癌的发生和发展中起一定作用.     

Numb Promotes Cell Proliferation and Correlates with Poor Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

Numb is an evolutionary conserved protein that plays critical roles in cell fate determination, cell adhesion, cell migration and a number of signaling pathways, but evidence for a substantial involvement of Numb in HCC has remained unclear. The present study was aimed to investigate the clinical and prognostic significance of Numb and its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methodology

The expression of Numb was detected in 107 cases of clinical paraffin-embedded hepatocellular carcinoma tissues,5 matched paris of fresh tissues and six hepatocellular cell lines by immunohistochemistry with clinicopathological analyses,RT-PCR or Western blot. Moreover, loss of function and gain of function assays were performed to evaluate the effect of Numb on cell proliferation in vitro.

Conclusions

We found that Numb was obviously up-regulated in HCC tissues and cell lines (p<0.05). The Numb up-regulation correlated significantly with poor prognosis, and Numb status was identified as an independent prognostic factor. Over-expression of Numb increased proliferation in SMMC-7721 and BEL-7402 cells, while knock-down of Numb showed the opposite effect. Our study indicates that Numb up-regulation significantly correlates with cell proliferation and poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. It may be a useful biomarker for therapeutic strategy in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.     

The Effect of ADAM8 on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Hepatocytes and Hepatoma Carcinoma Cells

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of ADAM8 on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocytes and hepatoma carcinoma cells during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. The expression of ADAM8 was significantly increased with good correlation of PCNA expression increasing and cells apoptosis decreasing during the progression of HCC in the liver of mice. Proliferation experiment in vitro showed that recombinant ADAM8 could induce the expression of PCNA in L02 cells, but not in HepG2 cells. Apoptosis experiment in vitro showed that recombinant ADAM8 did not induce or inhibit the expression of apoptosis‐related factors Bcl2, Bax, and Caspase3 in L02 cells, but significantly induced the expression of Bcl2, inhibited the expression of Bax and Caspase3 in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, our study suggested that ADAM8 could promote the proliferation of normal hepatocytes and render hepatoma carcinoma cells more resistant to apoptosis to play important roles during the progression of HCC. ADAM8; Proliferation; Apoptosis     

The P2Y2 Nucleotide Receptor Mediates the Proliferation and Migration of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Induced by ATP

ATP is an abundant biochemical component of the tumor microenvironment and a physiologic ligand for the P2Y₂ nucleotide receptor (P2Y₂R). In this study, we investigated the effect of ATP on the cellular behavior of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and the role of P2Y₂R in ATP action and aimed to find a new therapeutic target against HCC. The experiments were performed in native isolated human HCC cells, normal hepatocytes, human HCC cell lines, and nude mice. We found that the mRNA and protein expression levels of P2Y₂R in native human HCC cells and the human HCC cell lines HepG2 and BEL-7404 were enhanced markedly compared with human normal hepatocytes and the normal hepatocyte line LO2, respectively. ATP induced intracellular Ca²⁺ increases in HCC cells and promoted the proliferation and migration of HCC cells and the growth of HCC in nude mice. The P2Y receptor antagonist suramin, P2Y₂R-specific shRNA, the store-operated calcium channel inhibitors 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) and 1-(β-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl) propoxyl-4-methoxyphenethyl)1H-imidazole-hydrochloride ({"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"SKF96365","term_id":"1156357400","term_text":"SKF96365"}}SKF96365), and stromal interaction molecule (STIM1)-specific shRNA inhibited the action of ATP on HCC cells. In conclusion, P2Y₂R mediated the action of ATP on the cellular behavior of HCC cells through store-operated calcium channel-mediated Ca²⁺ signaling, and targeting P2Y₂R may be a promising therapeutic strategy against human HCC.     

FOXQ1促进肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721细胞的增殖

Forkhead Box Q1 (FOXQ1)是FOX家族的重要成员之一,在许多肿瘤中异常高表达,而FOXQ1在肝癌中的研究甚少。本研究通过重组慢病毒载体介导的FOXQ1 shRNA感染肝癌SMMC-7721细胞,敲减FOXQ1的表达,研究FOXQ1对SMMC-7721细胞增殖的影响。CCK8法、倍增时间及集落形成实验显示,敲减FOXQ1导致细胞生长减慢,倍增时间延长,细胞集落形成能力减弱。流式细胞技术检测证明,与对照比较,敲减FOXQ1的表达可显著增加G1期细胞、减少S期细胞,提示G1期阻滞。qRT-PCR和Western印迹法显示,cyclinD1和c-Myc表达下调,其可能与G1阻滞有关。上述结果提示,沉默FOXQ1的表达能够抑制SMMC-7721细胞增殖,其机制可能与cyclinD1和c-Myc的下调有关。